Awning for automobiles



.June 24, 1930. H. E. WILLIAMS AWNING FOR AUTOMQBILES Filed Dec. 16.1927 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 A TTORNEY.

June 24, 1930. H. E. WILLIAMS AWNING FOR AUTOMOBILES- 3 Sheets-Sht 2Filed Dec. 16, 1927 INVENTOR.

BY %flv J7- ilt-Ii"...

A TTORNEY.

June 24, 1930. H. E WILLIAMS 1,766,769

AWNING FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed'Dep. 16, 1927 s sheets-sheet 5 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 24, 1930 ll W HARO D n. WILLIAMS, or ennrHAeE, MISSOURI- IAWNING For; auroiuonrizns Application filed DecemberlG, 1927. Serial No.240,50

My present invention relates to improvements in shadesor awningssuchasare particularly adapted for use on automobiles or other which thoughnot limited to such is illustrated in several forms havin 7 non featuresof novelty, while each di erent form illustrated embodies in itselfcharacteristic novel features.

11 the accompanying drawings l is a perspective view of one form ofawning embodying my invention, parts hei broken away and the awningshown as emended.

Figure 2 an elevation of one corner of the shade, seen from the outside;

Figure 3 a detail perspective view, the parts bein separated;

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustratin a differe form of theinvention;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of the form of the invention shownin Figure 4;;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing another form of the invention;

Figure '7 is a detail vertical sectional View showing the manner ofsecuring in place the shade illustrated in Figure 6; r t

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line VHF-VIII of Figure 7Figure 9 is a perspective view of still another form of the invention;and

Figure 10 is a sectional view illustrating the manner of supporting theshade shown in Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates a window frame, such as is usedto support a window glass B in the body or door of an automobile. In theframe is formed a glass groove. a which may be lined with somesoftmaterial 0, such as felt. The glass is vertically movable in the groovesor runs a, it being common practice to provide mechanism for moving it,operated from the inside of the car or vehicle. Q

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an awning orsunshade that may be easily and quickly applied to a window opening;which maybe easily removed therefrom; which may be applied or'removedwithout scarring or marring the frame A, as forinstance should screws orsimilar attaching devices be employed; which may be so support ed in oradjacent to the window opening that the window glass B may be moved tocom plete closing position without necessitating the removal of theawning from the window casing; and which has other advantages that willbe later pointed out asthe description of my invention proceeds.

Referring particularly to the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 1,2 and 3, 2 indicates a roller upon which is supporteda flexible awningor shade 3, the roller being preferably of the spring-actuated type,such as is incommon use. The roller is supported in a frame, comprisinga cross bar t and side pieces 7, T The cross ban-which is located nearthe 'top of the window opening, carries the brackets 5 in which theroller 2 is supported. These brackets may be, as indi cated, integralwith the cross bar 4, being formed by the down-turned end portions ofsuch bar. Qne edge of the bar 4 may be bent to constitute a flange 6, toadd stiffness to the central cross member of the roller frame, and toclose the opening between such barand the window casing or frame.

The side frame pieces 7, 7 are preferably separate from the cross bar4-, their upper ends being angularly bent as at 51 to overlie the endsof the cross bar, to which they are so united as by rivets 14 To securethe awning in the window opening the roller carrying frame is providedwith thin flanges 8 and 9 that are adapted to bear against the walls ofthe glass run or groove (4, being preferably slipped between the liningC and the window casing. This is represented in Fig. 6.

The flanges '8 are represented as being at the lower ends of the sideframe pieces '4', being preferably integral with such pieces 99 and atthe inner edges thereof. The upper flanges 9 are preferably carried bythe angular or bent portions 51 of the side frame ieces 7, beingrepresented as integral therewith and at the inner edges thereof so asto enter the upper, horizontal glass groove a.

he arrangement shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is for an awning supported onthe inside of the window casing, arranged and constructed so that whenthe awning or shade is rolled 100 up the glass run a is free to permitthe window glass to be raised completely, so that its upper edge lies inthe upper groove a, without its interfering in any wise with the awning.I

10, 10 indicate loose clamp plates adapted to bear against the inside ofthe window frame, they being of a shape and form to extend across theangular window space between a side frame piece and the upper framepiece. Bolts 12 pass through openings in the flanges 9 and throughopenings 11 in the loose clamp plates 10, and wing nuts 13 engage withthe screw-threaded ends of such bolts, bearing, as represented in thedrawings, against the exposed faces of the clamp plates 10. Tighteningthe wing nuts upon the bolts operates to draw toward each other theclamp plates and the flanges 9 of the roller-carrying frame, and thesein turn engage with opposing faces of the window frame, with the resultthat the roller-carrying frame is rigidly clamped to the window frameand thus securely held, and this is done without necessitating the useof bolts, screws, or rivets that enter the frame A, which when employedmar it.

16 represents a stretcher frame of substantially U-shape, to theintermediate cross member of which is secured the free edge of theawning or shade 3. The free ends of the stretcher frame are united withthe lower portions of the side members of the rollersupporting frame bypivots 17. Friction plates 18 are secured to the lower or free ends ofthe stretcher frame and have, between them and the side frame members 7,friction pads 19. Nuts 20, upon the screw-threaded ends of the pivots17, serve as means for regulating the force with which the friction padsare clamped between the plates 18 and the faces of the lower portions ofthe side frame pieces 7 thus regulating frictional resistance to theswinging movements of the stretcher frame and thereby providing means bywhich such framewill be maintained in the different positions to whichit may be adjusted. The side members 7 of the rollersupporting frame areresilient and have a normal tendency to spring apart at their free orlower ends .a distance greater than the open window space for which theawning or shade is adapted, as represented by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

When the awning is applied the upper supporting flanges 9 are slippedinto the upper glass groove a, engaging with the inner face or wallthereof. The bolts 12, which are long enough to extend beyond the innerface of the window frame or casing A, are then passed through the holesprovided therefor in the flanges 9. .The loose clamp plates 10 are thenslipped upon the bolts 12 and caused to engage the inner faces of thewindow frame and the wing nuts 13 applied to the bolts 12 and tightened,thus securing the awning frame in the upper portion of the windowopening. The free ends of the side frame members 7 are then forcedtoward each other until the supporting flanges 8 which they carry are inposition to enter the vertical glass runs a. The stretcher frame 16 issprung, along with the side frame pieces 7 as just described, causingthe central cross bar thereof to bow upwardly or out wardly. There areat least two advantages incident to this springing of the stretcherframe. Its resiliency is utilized, supplement ing that of the side framepieces 7, to hold the latter in place with the flanges engaging theinner walls of the vertical glass run. In the second place the bowing ofthe central member of the stretcher frame imparts a slight stretching tothe free edge of the awning, thus tending to hold the latter taut andpreventing it from wrinkling or buckling. WVhen the awning is folded up,with the central cross bar of the stretcher frame lying close to theroller 2, all of the parts of the awning and its supporting frame arelocated inside the path of movement of the window B permitting thelatter to be moved up or down without disturbance from the awning.

In the form of awning which I have described the part of the frame thatimmediately supports the awning roller is rigid and non-extensible as tolength. It is not necessary for practical purposes that the shade rollerand its supporting frame should fit closely between the side members ofthe window frame. By making the side members of the frame resilient, asdescribed, a given frame will be adapted for application to windowopenings that may vary considerably in width, the resiliency of the sidemembers 7 insuring that they will properly engage with window casings ofdifferent sizes.

In theform of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the side framepieces of the roller-carrying frame are adjustable bodily with referenceto the central cross bar 4. The latter is slotted as at 21, and screws15 pass through these slots and engage with the angular portions 51 ofthe side frame parts.

In the form of invention illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 the support forthe awning or shade is located entirely on the outside of the windowcasing and the loose clamp plates employed to hold it in place areadapted to engage with the glass grooves. Referring to these views, 23indicates the cross bar of the roller-carrying frame. 24, 24 representside frame pieces in which may be directly mounted, as shown, the awningroller 2. The supporting frame is provided with a hood 25, adapted tocover and protect the roller and awning. Each of the side frame pieces24 is preferably provided along its inner edge with a flange 26 that isadapted to form a'bearing in engagement with the vertical member of thewindow frame. In the angles between the upper portions of the flanges 26and the cross bar 23 are supported plates 27 in which are formed slots28 through which pass the screw bolts 12 employed in securing the awningframe to the window frame. Nuts or screw-threaded plates 29 with whichthe screw bolts 12 engage bear; against the inner faces of the plates27. The clamp plates 30 are preferably of truncated right angulartriangle shape and when in use they bridge the spaces at the upperangles of the window openings as represented in Fig. 8.

The edge parts of these loose clamp plates lie within the glass groovesa at the upper angles thereof, the arrangement being such that when thebolts are tightened the awning frame will be tightly clamped in place.The slots 28 in the plates 27 permit the clamp plates to be adjusted toproperly engage with the window opening whatever its size.

The edge portions of the clamp plates 30 that enter the glass grooves aare, by a swaging process, raised relative to the portions 50 of theplates through which the bolts 12 pass, so that in effect the heads ofthe bolts lie in a recess and hence are not in position to interferewith the free movements of the glass when the awning is applied.

in Figs. 9 and 10 I represent my invention as applied to an awning likethat forming the subject of my co-pending application for patent, SerialNumber 158,904, filed January 4, 1927, in which the awning or shade isnot supported upon a roller but rather is always maintained in flatextended position, the supporting frame, however, being adjustable, sothat the awning may occupy a practically horizontal position extendingoutward from the window, a depending position approximating the verticalin front of the window, or any intermediate position between these twoextremes.

Referring to these views 31 indicates the awning and 39 a hollow ortubular support preferably of approximately elliptical form about whichthe upper or inner edge of the awning is looped, and thereby supported.In order that the awning may be adjustable to window openings of variouswidths, I construct the side members of the awning supporting frame eachof bars bent each to have an inturned end portion 32 adapted to enterthe tubular part 39, a down-turned portion 33, that is a part bent atright angles to the portion 32, which is supported in a bearing 36 and ashort inturned portion 34 substantially parallel to the part 32.Supporting plates 35, which preferably carry the bearings 36, areprovided, these being arranged to be clamped against the outer faces ofthe window frame A, each plate extending across an upper corner of thewindow opening. These plates 35 are not secured permanently to thewindow casing, but are the plates by eyes 37.

inturned portions 34-of the side-supporting members oftheawning frameare secured'to The plates are stif fened by having their edges 38 turnedoutwardly forming marginal flanges. The side frame members, togetherwith the plates 35 to which they are secured, are laterally adjustableto suit the width of the window open ing to which the awning may beapplied, the bars 32 sliding within the sleeve 39 when such adjustmentsare being made. i I

40 indicates the stretcher frame for the awning, the inner free ends41of which are inturned and enter the sleeve 39. 42 indicates anextensible brace, one at each side of the awning, between the inturnedend 34 of an awning frame side member and the outer cross part ofthestretcher frame. Each brace is preferably formed of a channel member 43pivotally supported at 45 upon a bar 34 and an outer member 44 havingpivotal connection at 46 with the cross bar of thestretcher frame. Onemember of the brace is slotted at 4-7 and the other member carries ascrew bolt or stud 48 that extends through the slot. 47 andhas screwedupon its end a wingnut .49. The specific features of the awning justdescribed are not herein claimed, except a frame surrounding a windowopening, loose clamp plates extending across corners of the windowopening, and having engagement at their ends with the window frame, andbolts passing, through the said clamp plates and engaging with theawning frame adapted to draw the latter into binding engagement with thewindowframe and thus secure it in place. i 1

2. An awning or shade for automobiles comprising anawningcarrying frameadapt--.

ed to have supporting engagement with a frame surroundinga windowopening, flanges carried by the awning frame, loose clamp platesextending across corners of the window opening and bearing against thewindow frame, and screw bolts for unitin the flanges of the awning frameand the 0 amp plates adapted to draw these parts toward each other andhold the awning frame in frictional engagement with the window frame.

3. An awning or shade for automobiles and the like comprisinga framehaving a rigid central portion supporting the awning and side portionsadapted to engage with a frame surrounding a window opening, such sideframe pieces being movable toward or from each other adapting the frameto be applied to window openings of different widths, in combinationwith loose clamp plates adapted to have frictional engagement with thewindow frame and screw bolts engaging respectively with the clamp platesand the awning frame to draw them toward each other and hold the awningframe securely in frictional engagement with the window frame.

4. An awning or shade for automobiles and the like comprising a framehaving a rigid central portion supporting the awning and side portionsadapted to engage with the glass grooves of the window frame, the sideportions being resilient and normally standing apart at their free endsa distance greater than the width of the window opening to which theawning frame is to be applied, and means for holding the central rigidportion of the awning frame frictionally in engagement with the windowcasing.

5. An awning or shade for automobiles comprising a frame having a rigidcentral crossportion and side portions, an awningcarrying rollersupported in said frame parallel with and adjacent to the centralportion thereof, bearing pieces carried by the frame adapted to havefrictional engagement with a frame surrounding a window opening, looseclamp plates adapted to bear against the window frame and screw boltsuniting the clamp plates and the awning frame adapted to draw saidplates and the bearing pieces of the awning frame toward each other andinto frictional engagement with the window frame to secure the awningframe in position.

6. In an adjustable U-shaped frame for supporting a rolling awning and aswinging bail, a combined, adjusting and supporting clamp comprising arigid plate adapted to have frictional bearing against flat surfaces ofthe window frame to which the awning may be applied, and to extendacross an angle of the window opening, the plate being perforate and abolt passing through a portion of the frame that supports the roller andthrough the clamp plate.

7. An article such as described in claim 6 in which the clamp plate hasformed through it a plurality of perforations permitting the plate tosupport the awning frame adjacent to openings of various sizes.

HAROLD E. WILLIAMS.

